NEWS UPDATE 13th APRIL 2012

senators demanded N2billion bribe

 Nigerians may have to wait a little longer to know the depth of rot in the management and administration of pension fund that runs into trillions of naira.
Investigations into how the money was managed ran into troubled waters recently as allegations and counter-claims of a N2 billion bribe may disrupt the exercise in the Senate. Some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are demanding the Senate probe committee be disbanded.

Daily Sun exclusively gathered that the N2 billion bribery allegation is rocking the Senate Joint Committee on Establishment and Public Service and States and Local Governments and the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT).
Sources on the PRTT told Daily Sun that some members of the joint committee approached the task team and allegedly demanded N2 billion bribe “to discontinue the probe,” therefore, stalling the PRTT headed by Mr. AbdulRasheed Maina.

Rather than succumb to the demand, the “team insisted that it had done no wrong to warrant paying such a huge sum of money to the Senate panel.”
Instead, the Maina-led PRTT insisted it should be commended for recovering billions of naira for government as well as exposing those who have siphoned money and “ who continued to siphon public fund into private pockets.”
Piqued about the demand, the PRTT approached the Presidency with the details of the alleged “insane demand from the Senate.”

Reacting, Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Aloysius Etok, dismissed the allegation.
“There was no demand of any nature; saying that if anybody asked him (Maina) for money, it is sheer blackmail.
“Let Maina face the facts. If he has any proof, let him come out with it,” Etok said.
Meanwhile, Senate spokesman Enyinnaya Abaribe, has called for those making the bribery allegation to substantiate their claim by naming those behind the deal.

“The allegation that members of the Senate and the House of Representatives were bribed to influence the outcome of the on-going probe of the management of pension fund in Nigeria is a pack of lies with no iota of truth with regards to the seventh Senate.“We suspect that the individual that made the allegation deployed the unfortunate tactic as a desperate ploy to hoodwink the Nigerian public as an odious cover in the light of the sad revelations made in the course of the hearings even when no report had been turned in.

“The Senate, therefore, challenges this individual to be courageous enough to name those he bribed. He should be bold to mention their names to the public as doing so would help bring probity in our public life,” Senator Abaribe said.
Meanwhile, some NGOs- Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC)- have called for the disbandment of the joint committee.
In a signed statement issued in Abuja, the NGOs expressed shock that the committee has deviated from its mandate, adding that some members have openly acted as advocates for government officials.

“We, CISLAC, CDD and ZCC, were, however, shocked that no sooner than the committee started its work, did signs emerge that the high expectations of Nigerians about its potential to contribute to the war against corruption would not materialize.“Indeed, the manner in which the committee went about its task of investigation left much to be desired. The tendency towards leaving the issues to pursue trivialities became obvious and elements of bias began to manifest, eroding the neutrality and objectivity required of this crucial assignment and calling the integrity of the legislature to question.
“As publicly displayed during the televised hearing, members of the committee seemed to have taken it upon themselves to serve as advocates for the government officials accused of squandering pension fund over the years.

“Therefore, rather than objectively and thoroughly scrutinizing every detail presented before them, members of the committee had been antagonizing members of the task team and providing cover for the people that were obviously found deep in the pension fund scam.“In view of the foregoing, we strongly call on Senate President David Mark to swiftly move into action to redeem the integrity of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly which had been badly battered by the activity of the Pension Reform Committee.“The Senate should as a matter of national interest, dissolve the committee and replace the members with more honourable and impartial Senators,” the NGOs said.

The Etok-led committee has said it would commence public hearing on the pension fund management and administration by inviting seven bank executives to testify on the matter. They are expected to appear before the committee next Monday, April 16. Recall that a former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Kigo and five others were last month arraigned before Justice Mohammed Talba of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on N32.8 bilion police pension scam.

Justice Talba had on April 3 granted them bail for N10 million and two sureties each after they spent a few days in prision custody. The accused are to return to court on May 28 and June 4 for commencement of trial.
Last week, the Senate said it uncovered N3 billion in an illegal account over which the seven bank Chief Executive Officers and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, were summoned.

Boko Haram  threatens to kill Jonathan in 3 months !

Islamist sect, Boko Haram, has threatened to bring down the Federal Government led by President Goodluck Jonathan within three months. Purported leader of the sect said this in his second video posted on the Internet yesterday.

The 14 minutes, two seconds video of Abubakar Shekau seen on YouTube was in response to Jonathan’s comments while in South Korea, about two weeks ago, that the Boko Haram phenomenon would be under control by the middle of this year.

The sect’s threat came even as police yesterday confirmed that the death toll from an attack by unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the Islamist group on a town along Nigeria’s border with Cameroon has risen to no fewer than 10. Boko Haram’s attacks have left over 1,000 people dead since mid-2009. Apart from the latest attack in Borno, about 46 people died following bomb attack on residents of Kaduna on Easter day.

Christians from the 17 Southern states of the country had at an extraordinary meeting in Lagos on Wednesday appealed to the Northern elite, including religious leaders and politicians to rise to the challenges of insecurity which is capable of breaking up the country.

You, Jonathan, cannot stop us; instead we will devour you in the three months like you are boasting,” Shekau said in the video entitled “Message to Goodluck Jonathan”. He was flanked by four masked men holding rifles as he spoke.

“We are proud soldiers of Allah; we will never give up as we fight the infidels. We will emerge as winners … we will finish you and end your government,” Shekau said in Arabic and the Hausa languages.

Boko Haram, has killed hundreds in bomb and gun attacks in northern Nigeria and around the capital Abuja this year.

Threat to President Jonathan

In the new video, Boko Haram otherwise known as the Jama’atu Ahl-Sunnati Lil Da’awati Wal Jihad stated that President Goodluck Jonathan cannot end its insurgency in June as publicly stated.

Sheik Abubakar Imam Shekau the leader of the group also said that the Nigerian security agencies cannot take down the sect by June 2012 as earlier promised by Jonathan.  The sect leader appeared agitated throughout the video recording.

In the preamble of the message, Shekau vowed that it must destroy Christians and Christianity in Nigeria particularly those killing Muslims in Nigeria just as it said it will also kill all Muslims aiding the arrest and harassment of its members.

Shekau further said: “If death is your worldly gain, for us, it is eternal victory to die working for Allah. Our joy is to die in Jihad for Allah against infidels like you…

“We are also aware of some Muslims using our name to make money, we will say nothing but let them continue, and they will meet Allah in the last day.

“We are not doing physical human service, but Allah’s work and it is clear your aim is killing us. Let me tell you with Allah we will triumph over you and your men in hundreds. We are not boasting.

“Allah that finished Pharaoh and other wicked rulers that you are not up to, will finish you and end your government. We are not afraid because we are not doing man’s work but Allah’s work. And we will see who will carry the day.”

Suspected Boko Haram members burnt down immigration and customs posts in the town of Banki in Borno state Tuesday night, and also tried to set fire to a police station where officers repelled them.

An Army spokesman earlier confirmed five people, including one customs and an immigration officer killed.
Borno State police Commissioner Bala Hassan told the international media yesterday  that five suspected Boko Haram members were also killed during a shootout when they attempted to attack the police station.
”The attackers tried to burn down the Banki police station during the attack but the police repelled them and killed five gunmen in the shootout.

”We recovered two AK47 rifles with 12 rounds of ammunition and a car used by the attackers,” he said.
Banki has a popular market patronised by traders from Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad.
However, criminal gangs have also carried out robberies and assaults under the guise of Boko Haram.

The Federal Government, Tuesday, flagged off the building of some Almajiri Boarding Primary Schools in some states across the North in an attempt to appease the Boko Haram sect but a Kaduna-based rights activist, Shehu Sani dismissed the idea, describing them as ‘’white elephant projects.’’

Meanwhile, rising from their emergency meeting in Lagos Wednesday, southern Christian leaders urged northern leaders to curtail the alleged excesses of adherents of the Islamic sect.

In a 10-point communiqué at the end of its inaugural meeting at the Bola Memorial Anglican Church, Ikeja,  the Christian leaders agreed to establish a group to be known as “Southern CAN”, asking the Northern leaders to save the nation from imminent collapse by helping to curtail the activities of  Boko Haram.

The communique signed by the chairman, vice chairman and secretary of the group, Anglican Primate, Nicholas Okoh; Archbishop George Amu and Apostle Joseph Ajujungwa respectively also urged President Jonathan to remain steadfast and resolute in delivering his election promises to Nigerians.

The interdenominational Southern CAN, which would now serve as a rallying point for Christians in the 17 southern states condemned the incessant bombings and blood letting in different parts of Northern Nigeria and urged the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to find an end to the menace.

They also pledged the unalloyed loyalty of the group to the leadership of the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria,CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and “enjoined all Christians to do same and always speak with one voice.

Nigeria is going broke, says Okonjo-Iweala

Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday raised alarm over the depletion of the Excess Crude Account, which stands at a mere $ 3.6 billion.

Speaking at the first civil society forum organized by her ministry to acquaint civil society groups with the Jonathan transformational agenda, Okonjo-Iweala also appealed to state governors challenging the constitutionality of the Sovereign Wealth Fund to have a re-think, noting that the Fund is critical to national survival given Nigeria’s mono-economic status.

According to her, the nation could go broke in the next few years if it does not initiate savings from oil proceeds while lamenting that the Excess Crude account which has depleted to $3.6bn cannot sustain the nation in the event of an economic crisis.

Should the price of oil drop we have no question. The $3.6bn in the excess crude account is not enough to sustain Nigeria for any period of time. Now that the price of oil is high we should be happy but because the quantity we produce as a country has dropped, we are not selling expected quantities so not much money is coming in. We are selling below budgeted quantities”.

She also disclosed that the Sovereign Wealth Fund which was created from the excess crude account could have been launched with more than $1bn but for stiff opposition from state governors who only sanctioned its creation with a capital of $1bn.

She allayed fears among state governors and Nigerians that $1bn-capital Sovereign Wealth Fund would be mismanaged by the Federal Government, pointing out that the Sovereign Wealth Act which establishes the Fund adequately provides for accountability in its management.

The Minister noted that fiscal federalism has created problems for the management of the Nigerian economy, saying “Nigeria, because of fiscal federalism cannot save. The constitution says the President should manage the economy for the benefit of everybody. The decision to save is also part of the management of the economy for the benefit of the people of Nigeria. Every state can save but the Federal Government can save for all Nigerians. The governors can insist on accountability in the management of the SWF as a guarantee against their apprehension.

“It is difficult getting governors to agree to $1bn savings for the SWF. We had the state governors saying they can only allow $1bn. Now they say it is illegal and the country is not able to save. In the excess crude account today we have left only about $3.6bn. Should the oil price drop today we have no cushion because $3.6bn for this economy is not enough to take us to any length of time.”

“The fear is that the Federal Government is dipping hands into these accounts but it is not true. We can tell you at any point in time how much is in what account. So there should be no fear that these monies would disappear.”

According to the minister, the Nigerian economy is being affected by developments in the global community that depends, especially as the nation’s only main foreign exchange earner, oil, is consumed mainly in Europe and America, regions that now face severe economic problems.

“There is no money stacked up anywhere, which is why I am pushing for savings in case the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) does not sell crude oil or cannot remit money as is being experienced in recent times.  60 per cent of our money and products comes from and goes to Europe and USA, if they are not doing well we suffer too. Unemployment in the USA is at a crisis level same as in Europe.

“That product determines how the economy grows and the nation’s expenditure fluctuates with revenue, such volatile pattern of development crashes the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). To make expenditure smooth necessitated budget benchmarking,” she said.

Giving an insight into why she supported the controversial fuel subsidy removal at the beginning of the year, the finance minister said it was economic suicide for government to subsidize products that are laundered to neighboring countries at the detriment of developing critical national infrastructure.

She admitted that had the government taken time to explain the subsidy removal to Nigerians, the policy could have attracted support instead of disdain.

She however regretted that the petroleum subsidy was not removed before she resumed as finance minister, hence she was labeled as the proponent by Nigerians.

“I prayed for subsidy to be phased out before I came back otherwise it would be said that Okonjo-Iweala is the propagator and proponent of subsidy and that is exactly what happened. Of course I subscribed to the subsidy phase-out, make no mistake and I will tell you why.

By the time I got back I spoke with DG Budget that we were up to N1.3 trillion in (subsidy) payments and we were alarmed because this amount kept mounting. Now in finance we don’t know how much is consumed but we know how much is imported and it is against that that we disbursed after the accountants have checked and certified to us that the invoices are valid.

“So we did what any finance Ministry in any country would d and that is what we discussed with Mr. President. Now why it was on that day we cannot debate that but the essence of what happened is that the president was trying not to play into the hands of corrupt people and ship more of our resources into their hands.

And that was really it, we didn’t explain ourselves well the way we should have maybe, and not long enough but that really was the crux of the matter and it still faces us today because we are still paying that subsidy partially.”

CBN backs NSE, threatens to sack banks’ Chairmen, CEOs

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has backed the quest by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, to instill discipline in the Nigerian capital market, as it threatened to sack the Chairman and Managing Directors of banks that fail to submit their financial statements to the regulatory authorities at the appropriate time.

This was contained in the CBN’s Monetary, Credit, Foreign Trade and Exchange Policy Guidelines for Fiscal Years 2012/2013, signed by Mallam Sanusi Lamido, Governor of the apex bank.

The CBN action gave vent to the campaign by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, for the timely rendition of financial statements by quoted companies.

The CBN also threatened to bar the Managing Director or nominee of the defaulting bank from participating in the Bankers’ Committee.

On other sanctions to be meted out to the defaulting bank, the CBN said it will “Suspension the foreign exchange dealership licence of the affected bank and also forward its name to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, if the bank in question is a public quoted company.

“Removal of the Chairman and Managing Director of the affected bank from office if the accounts remain unpublished for twelve months after the end of the bank’s financial year.”

According to the guideline, banks shall continue, subject to the written approval of the CBN, to publish, not later than four months after the end of their financial year, audited financial statements — balance sheet and profit and loss account — in a daily national newspaper printed and circulated in Nigeria.

The CBN said it will continue to hold the Board Chairman and Managing Director of any defaulting bank directly responsible for any breach and shall impose appropriate sanctions on them.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has placed emphasis and adopted a strict posture on the timely rendition of financial statements by quoted companies. This led to its sanctioning of 13 quoted companies, in January 2012 for their failure to submit their December 2010 and March 2011 year end financial statements.

The NSE said failure of companies to submit their financial statements at the expiration of the accounting year, is a clear violation of the Post-Listing Rules of the NSE, as contained in Key Issue No. 5 (Annual Accounts Procedures), which states that ‘Audited annual accounts of companies ought to be submitted within three months of the year end.’

The NSE said this becomes essential due to the fact that the investing public and the authorities of the Exchange need timely financial information from listed companies in other to facilitate stock transactions that are based on market fundamentals.

It added that timely accounts rendition is critical for fair price discovery and investor confidence in the capital markets.

Airfare disparity: Senate summons BA, Virgin, minister, others

The Senate, yesterday, summoned the British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Arik Airlines, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru and other stakeholders to appear before the Senate Committee on Aviation on Monday to answer questions on the violation of Aviation laws and air fare disparity by foreign airlines in Nigeria as well as the lapses in the operation of the regulatory agencies.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodinma (PDP, Imo), promised that the committee would work  within the time frame given by the Senate.

According to him, “it is our intention to ensure that the operation of civil aviation in Nigeria is comparable with what is obtainable in other places. If there is any money that Nigeria government has lost as a result of non-payment of taxes or what is due to them, we will do our best to make appropriate recommendations that will enable the various agencies recover such monies for government.

“You will recall that the Senate on March 28 mandated its Committee on Aviation to investigate allegation of series of violations of our aviation laws by foreign airlines and also investigate some allegations of negligence and lapses on the part of the regulatory agencies. Consequent upon this, we are starting a public hearing on Monday, the 16th of this month.

Stakeholders

“We have invited critical stakeholders in the industry, we have invited air travellers and also the various agencies of government and the Minister of Aviation, including Foreign Affairs Minister. We included the Foreign Affairs ministry because there are also allegations that airlines and foreign countries are not complying with the provisions of our Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA.

“We have looked at the series of allegations and decided to do a thorough investigation. We are going to be committed to this assignment; we are going to discharge our duties without fear or favour. It is not going to be an investigation that will last for eternity. We are going to work within the time frame given to us by the Senate.”

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had warned British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways and other foreign airlines operating in the country to take advantage of the 30-day ultimatum given them to dismantle their fare disparity or face the full wrath of the law.

But in a quick reaction to the government’s order, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Giles Lever, had declared that Nigeria had no legal rights to ban the British carriers over fare disparity, adding that a ban on either British Airways or Virgin Atlantic would amount to a breach of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, between both countries.

The Senate, however, declared that it would not join issues with the British government over the matter but carry out its mandate to the Nigerian people to investigate all the allegations against foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.

 

N364bn fraud: FG appeals Akingbola’s discharge

The Federal Government has filed an appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court in Lagos which on April 2, freed the former Group Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mr. Erastus Akingbola, from alleged fraud.

In the appeal filed Thursday, the Federal Government accused the Judge of the Federal High Court, Lagos, Justice Charles Efanga Archibong, of bias, recklessness in arriving at a decision to discharge Akingbola from the criminal charges.

The appeal case filed by Chief Godwin Obla at the Registry of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division was made available to journalists in Abuja.

In the appeal, the Federal Government asked the appellate court to set aside the entire decision of Justice Archibong which dismissed the 26-count criminal charges against Akingbola before setting him free.

The Federal Government also sought an order of the Court of Appeal to remit the case back to the Chief Justice of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for re-assignment to another judge for retrial on merit.

In the four grounds of appeal, the Federal Government claimed that the trial Judge erred in law when he proceeded to dismiss the criminal charge without affording it opportunity to be heard.

The appellant also claimed that the decision of the lower court on the dismissal of the case did not emanate from any of the applications pending before the judge.

Government also claimed that the Judge failed to invite parties in the case to address him and that the decision to strike out the criminal case constituted a violation of its rights to fair hearing.

In the particulars of errors raised against the judge, the Federal Government claimed that it had on September 2, 2011 asked Justice Archibong to disqualify or excuse himself from the case on the ground of likelihood of bias.

The appellant said rather than disqualifying himself, the Judge went ahead to hear the case even when a notice of appeal had been filed against him for refusal to stay out of the case.

Government also faulted the claim of the Judge that the case was not diligently prosecuted adding that the record of the court did not show anything like that.

It was also argued that at the time the Judge struck out the case against Akingbola an appeal was pending in the court of appeal thereby making the dismissal of the case null and void.  No date has been fixed for hearing of the appeal.

How TB Joshua Predicted Death Of Malawi President

Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, founder of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations, SCOAN, is widely regarded as the man behind the emergence of Malawi’s new President Joyce Banda.

Banda, 61, was sworn in on 8 April following the death of her predecessor Bingu wa Mutharika in office but it is Joshua who has become the centre of attraction amid claims that Mutharika had written him a letter six days prior to his death.

In a live broadcast on his Emmanuel TV station on Sunday 8 April, Joshua said Mutharika knew that his prophecy was about him.

On three occasions, Joshua predicted the death of an African president. His first prophecy was on 5 February, then on 18 March and the last one was on 1April .

“When a prophet says I can see death, he is simply telling you to put your house in order. But everyone would like to hear when and how?” he said.

He then boasted that he got a letter from the president following his latest prophecy.

“I received a letter from his Excellency Malawi President. He sent it to me because he knew I was talking about him,” he explained.

TB Joshua did not disclose the contents of the letter, which had a Malawi government seal and the late President’s signature, saying it was “personal”.

Banda, a mother of three, has been consulting Joshua since 2009 when her husband suffered a stroke. Her husband was believed to have been healed by Joshua’s prayers. He recovered his voice, which had been lost due to the stroke.

Banda has ever since visited the controversial Nigerian prophet. Her enthronement has shaken-up Malawi’s politics amid speculations that she had something to do with her rival’s death.

She was elected as the country’s vice president alongside Mutharika — but fell out after she was expelled from Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party and formed her own People’s Party.

Mutharika had relentlessly accused Banda following their fallout, and during one of her visits to TB Joshua’s temple, she was quoted saying: “I have been the most victimised person in the year, but God and Malawians, especially women have been faithful to me.”

Banda is only the second female president in Africa and her enthronement as president will make her see out the remainder of Mutharika’s term until 2014. Joshua’s doomsday prophecies have been posted on video-sharing website YouTube. The video was titled: “God is Still Saying Something”.

In the 5 February video Joshua stated that he would continually share his prophecies despite the criticism directed towards him.

“We should pray for one African Head of State, when I say president, against the sickness that will take life, sudden death. Sickness for a long time, being kept in the body for a long time. God showed me the country and the place,” he said.

That was followed by the 18 March prophecy, where Joshua reiterated that the end was close for the doomed head of state.

“You have to pray for the whole world. Is it Thursday of this week, or next week or three Thursdays coming? But what happened on Thursday? Before I come out to say something in your midst, I’ve been praying and praying,” he said.

His last prophecy on 1 April declared that the end is nigh for the head of state in question.

“Last time, I said we should pray for a leader of a country and people gave different meanings to what I said. And I want to say God will forgive you all. But you cannot stop me from saying what God put in my heart. What I was saying is very close now. Do you want to hear more? It’s very, very close now,” he stated.

The focus in Southern Africa has turned to Zimbabwe after Joshua’s prophecy has come to pass. Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who has visited the SCOAN headquarters in search of spiritual guidance, has also claimed that God plans leadership changes in Zimbabwe.

 

Traffic jam chokes Lagos as First Lady visits

How do you know when the First Lady is in town?

A massive traffic jam, sweating commuters and several manhours wasted. So it was in Lagos yesterday.

Lagos Island was groaning under a crippling traffic jam that paralysed business and sent many trekking.

First Lady Patience Jonathan was visiting – to thank women for voting her husband in last year’s election.

Security operatives closed down some sections of roads in the nation’s business and financial capital. The resultant traffic jam extended beyond the Island to Mainland Lagos. It did not subside until early evening.

Dame Jonathan visited the Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, at his palace on Wednesday.

The traffic situation became more difficult in the afternoon as movement became difficult. 

From Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Ahmadu Bello Way (on Victoria Island) through Alfred Rewane Road (formerly Kingsway Road), Awolowo Road (in Ikoyi); Catholic Mission Street, through Igbosere Road and Simpson Street, the situation was the same.

Similar difficulty was witnessed from Apongbon, through Carter Bridge to Western Avenue and Ikorodu Road.

Passers-by also could not continue their journey as human traffic melted with vehicular movement. 

A bid to outsmart one another in the traffic led to minor accidents at Obalende and CMS areas.

There were shattered windscreen on the roads and commuters engaged in hot arguments over who was at fault. 

Many who could not withstand the delay parked their vehicles and resulted to using the motorcycles.

The commercial motorcyclists seized the opportunity to increase fare.

Even the motorcyclists’ efforts to manouvre their way proved difficult.

In most cases, they rode through the walk ways.

Officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), and security agents were helpless as the situation got complex.

LASTMA General-Manager, Mr. Babatunde Edu confirmed that the presence of the First Lady was responsible for the traffic jam. 

He said his officers were working tirelessly to ensure that smooth movement, reduction in travel time and to unlock the congestion. 

Abdulmutallab moved to Supermax facility

“Underwear bomber” Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was transferred Wednesday to the Supermax prison in Colorado, the so-called “Alcatraz of the Rockies” that houses a number of infamous al-Qaida operatives and other inmates.

A Bureau of Prisons spokesman would not say why Abdulmutallab, 25, was moved there from the nearby high-security facility.

“We wouldn’t comment about why any inmate is moved from one status to another,” prisons spokesman Edmond Ross said yesterday. “Every individual is reviewed, and they are placed in the appropriate secured facility.”

There was no immediate comment from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Detroit.

The maximum-security prison in Florence, Colo., 90 miles south of Denver, has about 430 inmates.

Abdulmutallab’s fellow inmates include University of Michigan graduate Ted Kaczynski and Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols, a Lapeer native.

At the Supermax facility, some inmates, including terrorists, are assigned to a unit where they are locked in cells 23 hours a day. Those inmates are allowed one hour of recreation a day in a yard secluded from other prisoners, said Joe Gunja, a former warden at the prison complex.

Abdulmutallab likely will face unusually restrictive conditions: No visitors; no phone calls, except from lawyers; no outgoing mail; and no communication with fellow inmates, even those in adjoining cells — the air vents are sealed.

Abdulmutallab was sentenced in February to four life terms for his failed attempt to blow up a Detroit-bound flight on Christmas Day 2009.

He pleaded guilty in October to trying to blow up the airliner over Metro Detroit with a bomb in his underwear.

 

Troubled Kano state finds husbands for 1000 women

In last month, men have been flocking to the northern Nigerian city of Kano in their thousands, some dressed in sharp, tailor-made suits, others carrying worn leather brief cases containing divorce papers and medical certificates.


Some are widowed or divorced. Others say they have simply been unlucky in love. All are hoping to win the chance to wed one of the 1000 women looking for husbands under the new scheme sponsored by the the state of Kano.

Kano state has been rocked by Boko Haram-issued violence in recent months, but as a result of the new programme, the city - home to more than a million widowed or divorced women - is gaining a new reputation: as a mecca for matchmaking.

So far, 2000 men ranging in age from 20 to 85 have applied for the marriages, which will be held en masse at the end of April and will be fully financed by the state.

Malam Abba Sa'idu Sufi, director of Kano State's Hisbah Board - a social advisory body - said the area has one of the highest divorce rates in Nigeria. "Men do not seek the hand of divorcees in marriage, creating problems for vulnerable women with no one to take care of them," he told Nigeria's Daily Trust newspaper.

Among those looking for love is Abdurrahman Alhassan, a divorced 34-year-old from the town of Zaria. "What was contracted out of love and affection turned into hatred," he said of his previous marriage. "Since then, I have been scared of even talking to women but I feel this could be a chance for me to get my dream wife."

Mother of four Hauwa Ismail thought she'd never find a man again. Widowed several years ago, Ismail signed up for the scheme after meeting with an NGO known as the Voice of Widows, Orphans and Divorcees Association of Nigeria (VOWAN).

Angry about the lack of men willing to marry divorced or widowed women in Kano, VOWAN mobilized one million women, calling on them to march through the streets of the city in protest. The state intervened, coming up with the novel idea as a way of dampening tensions.

"This is their remedy," said Bilkisu Yusuf of the Federation of Muslim Women's Associations in Nigeria. "Most of these women will depend totally on the husband, for feeding, for clothing ... More than anything it is poverty that is a big problem in our communities," she said.

Hafsat Mohamed Baba, women's leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria party, said that most divorces in Kano are instigated by men, leaving women in a tough spot when it comes to taking care of their families.

The new scheme gives women "a second chance," she said. And there are tough penalties for men who want to back out of the marriages: they will be fined 1.5 million naira (7,200 euros).

But Lagos-based social commentator Ayisha Osori said that "quickie marriages" are not the answer to a problem rooted in poverty.

"Marriage is not the only option. Kano has so many competitive advantages and options which could turn things around - but no, they just want to keep propping up an unjust system which will never work efficiently. In the end, everyone loses," she told the Daily Post newspaper.

According to Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics, about 70 per cent of participating women are illiterate. "The social context in which these women live is one where being 'Mrs' has become the most important thing on earth," Osori said.

But the scheme's organizers are adamant that the scheme will forge marriages that last. Screening committee chairman Malam Auwalu Ubaidullah said "the turnout has been overwhelming."

"I had to help (one 85-year-old candidate) sit on the chair because he was very weak and tired," Ubaidullah told the Daily Trust.

"He told us that he lost his old wife some years back and doesn't have any child or relative. All he wants, he said, was to get a companion, someone to support him. He said he wouldn't want to die a single man."

 

Mo’Hits split latest: D’banj, Don Jazzy in war of words !

Warring founders of Mo’Hits, Don Jazzy and D’banj, are throwing barbs at each other as they move to divest their investments and interests in the label, a confidential email correspondence between them has revealed.

If you are one of those who still think that the fallout of Mo’Hits founders, D’banj and Don Jazzy, is a rumour which will dissipate in no time, you probably still live in the past. In fact, in order to make the future safe from the past, the duo is already formalising plans to share their assets especially on the ownership of the mouth-watering Mo’Hits catalogue comprising all D’banj’s albums (No Long Thing, Rundown Funk U Up and The Entertainer), Wande Coal’s Mushin to Mo’Hits and The Mo’Hits Crew All Stars’ album, Curriculum Vitae among others. Thus, as you read, Mo’Hits is only waiting for legal certification before it is pronounced dead. And the pallbearers are already waiting in the flanks to ferry the remains of the beloved label to its final resting place, bringing to a painful end the reign and run of the successful label.

In the meantime, the Mo’Hits crew has been divided, as the two figures in the unfolding drama are moving out with their different disciples: D’banj’s younger brother, K-Switch, understandably, goes with him while Wande Coal, Dr Sid and D’Prince have settled for Don Jazzy. The future of the label’s artiste manager, Sunday Are, is unknown. Long before the separation became public knowledge, D’banj and Don Jazzy were no longer on speaking terms, an authoritative source tells E-Punch.

Neither do they see eye to eye. In fact, at their last concert in New York in February, they only met on stage because each artiste had his own cubicle. Rather, they communicate via email only when necessary. In a confidential email correspondence between the former collaborators, exclusively obtained by E-Punch, the sordid details that might have led to their break up are veiled, but the bitterness-laced correspondences are open about their claims for the assets of Mo’Hits especially the catalogues of all the artistes.

D’banj must pay all the debts of Mo’Hits – Don Jazzy

In regards to D’banj’s claim for 100 percent ownership of all songs recorded under the Mo’Hits imprint, the acclaimed producer in an email on March 17th, states, “That Mo’Hits Records does not already own 100 per cent of the songs. Note that Mo’Hits Records only owns 60 per cent of the songs and 40 per cent belongs to the individual artiste. So, 40 per cent of the songs is not mine to give.” He continues, “That me (I am) giving him (D’banj) my share of the catalogue does not and will never include him having the right to stop them (the artistes)  from performing the songs or give him the right to claim any monies for live performances of these songs. And any loans or debt owed by Mo’Hits records as at today will be cleared by Mr D’banj as I am clearly not aware of any.”

Don Jazzy states further that the catalogues he is releasing to his former partner only consists of songs already released in an album exempting new singles and unreleased materials. “So, songs like Wande Coal’s Go Low and Been Long You Saw Me are not part of this catalogue he is receiving. Also, an artiste like D’Prince, not only has he not released any album, he has not signed any contract whatsoever with Mo’Hits Records. That he has no right to claim any monies for deals that have been brokered already as at today with the catalogues or stop their usage. It is important to note that any unreleased songs done by any artiste (including D’banj and K-Switch) MUST NOT be released and is not part of the catalogue I am giving away.”

He adds, “With these few points, I do hope that you all realise that I have been generous enough to facilitate the End of the “D’banj & Don Jazzy” era as a team. After this new deal has been signed and sealed, I do NOT look forward to seeing an email whatsoever or hearing from the DKM (D’banj, K-Switch, Mo’Hits) crew, and all is well again.”

Will you return the Bentley I bought for you? – D’banj

Same day, D’banj responded to the email, stating, “In case he (Don Jazzy) forgot, this is the arrangement! 50/50—–song writer/ production, which means for a song X for artiste Y, 75 per cent as per production is fully owned by Mo’Hits and writing is shared 25/25 with the individual artiste co- writing. So, that’s the deal! So him (sic) saying 40 per cent is not his to give away is more like 75per me and 25per each artiste.”

He then asks, “What do you mean by any bills or loans would be cleared by Mr. D’banj? That will never happen because when I ran the company, I ran it perfectly and well. So, if I give him my shares he is left with 100 per cent liability. My catalogue is everything that has been done with the Mo’Hits system and under the normal agreement we have, that means everything I have recorded or that has been recorded whether new or old, or even classic, whether beat with concept or even idea without beats, anything we did as a team and sponsored by me throughout, then, it is mine. Including K-switch clause and all mine and even Wande’s singles and all till the date of signing even today.”                              

Continuing, D’banj writes, “And now, (I) wanna clear the air on this Samsung deal! I would expect by now that you understand that me keeping quiet is being GENEROUS because this is a deal structured under Mo’Hits Records, (and it is) the first deal and income you would ever bring into the company in  eight years. We shared the first 150k (One hundred and fifty thousand dollars) the right way, 1/3 down and that was cool. But after you collected another 130k and did not say anything (that) is and could be described as theft! I only refused to contact them (Samsung) directly because of your reputation. But please don’t call me a fool and let’s know who is generous!” D’banj was not coy about his anger. He states that after sharing over N1bn with Don Jazzy in their Mo’Hits days, he was shocked that the producer would now sideline him when he got the balance from Samsung.’’

D’banj writes further, “Please, please, will he (Don Jazzy) return the Bentley because I bought it for him and it was N5.2m more than mine? And Prince that he claims has no signed contract but is actively involved and signed via engagement– I win his catalogue too – all recorded whether released now or not! This is because no one questioned me when I bought D’Prince N11m naira car (LR3/Range) without releasing any album just to boost the image of the boy and it worked for him! So, let’s get the facts straight, I AM BEING MORE THAN GENEROUS.”

Good music deal and other issues

After Don Jazzy inferred on twitter that the end might have come for Mo’Hits, E-Punch reliably gathers that D’banj was prevailed upon by close friends and associates not to talk despite being aggrieved that his lifelong friend had painted him black before the public. But the hyperactive entertainer, the source says, may have reached his tether’s end and any moment from now would reveal to the world all that went wrong between him and Don Jazzy. Part of what he will talk about, E-Punch learns, will dwell on the genesis of their separation and the point at which Don Jazzy advised that they did away with Mo’Hits and concentrate on their GOOD Music deal. “It was D’banj who prevailed on him that even if they were going to concentrate on their deal with Kanye, they didn’t need to do away with Mo’Hits,” says the source. When the deal with GOOD Music sailed through, Don Jazzy was signed on as a producer while D’banj was the artiste. By virtue of how the American music system works, producers are only meant to be heard not seen. So, the source says further, “Kanye and D’banj and the other guys were always going out leaving behind the producers, including Don Jazzy, which didn’t go down well with him. After some time, D’banj noticed this and to placate him, he bought both of them a Bentley each. Further, he also bought a house in Atlanta, equipped with high tech studio equipment so that Don Jazzy could be working mostly from their new home but he was not appeased as he felt that he was being outshined by D’banj.”

On the other hand, Don Jazzy allegedly told his close associates that the reason he decided to part ways with D’banj was because of an alleged arrogance which was impacting negatively on the other artistes. Long before Mo’Hits evolved, they were friends before becoming partners, putting up with each other’s shortcomings but fame and money have combined to becloud their tolerance of each other.

 

Again, Power Outage Cripples Activities at Lagos Airport

For the fourth time in two months, Nigeria’s busiest airport, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos Thursday went through another bout of power outage that lasted for several hours.

Electricity supply to the airport was cut off at about 4:30 pm and by 7:25 pm it was yet to be restored, a situation that stifled the checking in of passengers, the security checks at the central search for departing passengers and the grim standstill of the conveyor belt as passengers were no more able to collect their luggage at the peak of the day’s activities.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and other officials at the airport resorted to the use of emergency lights, including torch-lights, cell phone lights and any other objects that could glow while the passengers, who were being profiled had to wait for the restoration of power.

This gave rise to crowding at the central search area where all passengers pass through for security profiling; crowding at the check-in area, and stampede at every part of the departure hall.

Security experts said that power outage at the peak hours when heavy traffic of arrivals and departures are recorded was a dangerous time because it exposed the airport to serious security breach and threatens airport and aircraft safety.

It is difficult for the security operatives to effectively man their posts; with the crowding, unscrupulous elements can meander through to highly prohibited parts of the airport and cause harm or access the airside.

But a senior aviation security source told THISDAY that during the period of the outage, the security officials conducted manual search on the intending passengers, “but it takes time because of the volume of passengers. What happened impacted more on facilities. We had to redouble our efforts; after all, we know that such a thing is not unusual. It can happen tomorrow until efforts are made to provide permanent solution”.

Passengers, especially regular travellers are always shocked when they experience power outage at the airport, as many of them become confused and struggle to hold on to their bags.

It was not different Thursday; many of the passengers while cursing concerned authorities for the outage,  struggled with their luggage, an effort that was more challenging for those with children who were confused about what to do.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)ˆwith the Ministry of Aviation has been carrying out renovation and upgrade of the airports and sometimes in the process of moving earth or other objects electricity lines may be cut off.

The agency has embarked on a major power project, which when completed will significantly ensure uninterrupted power supply to the airport.

 

Clifford Orji’s medical condition worsens in prison

 

The health of the suspected cannibal and long-time inmate at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Clifford Orji, has deteriorated, PUNCH Metro has learnt.

The Deputy Comptroller of the prison, Mr. Noel Ailewon, said Orji was in a bad state and had gone completely mad.

“Orji’s health is getting worse. He has gone completely mad, vomiting and even defecating without restraint and is naked most of the time,” he said.

Ailewon said this on Thursday during a visit to the prison by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, and representatives of the Office of the Public Defender.

The visit was to evaluate the number of Awaiting Trial Persons and secure the release of persons wrongfully put in the prison.

The Director of OPD, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, noted that following a court order, Orji was taken to two Psychiatric hospitals for treatment but was rejected.

“Initially, we took Orji to Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, but was rejected because they claimed they did not have long-term medical facilities. Subsequently, he was taken to another hospital in Ewekoro but was similarly rejected,” she said.

Ipaye explained that Orji’s case was pathetic because his case had been stalled due to the impediments and said unless Orji received proper medical attention, he could not stand trial.

“Orji is mentally disturbed and no hospital is accepting him. Unfortunately, one cannot be tried if one is mentally unstable. So, he’s stuck in the middle. All we can do now is find help for him,” he said.

Orji, now 46, was arrested in February 1999 by the police, under the bridge along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway. He was subsequently charged before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, on February 19 but has yet to be tried.

Asides Orji, the prisons authorities noted that the number of awaiting trial persons was far higher than convicted persons.

In the Maximum prison, it was learnt that 554 persons were awaiting trial, while convicted persons stood at 257.

Ipaye assured the prison authorities that the state government was already considering the use of non-custodial sentencing such as community service as a form of punishment for minor offences in order to decongest the prisons.

He said, “The OPD is a department under the state Ministry of Justice, created to offer free legal service to members of society who can’t afford a lawyer. By today’s exercise, we’re exploring all avenues to ensure decongestion of prisons. Prisons are necessary in every society but not all offences are worth jail term.

“We are already setting up the structure for community service. We have identified some community service centres such as hospitals, orphanages, destitute homes which offenders would be made to clean.”

 

 

Police uncover baby factory in Akwa Ibom •Doctor pays pregnant girls N70,000 !

POLICE in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, have uncovered a mysterious factory where young girls are made to conceive, give birth and the babies later sold to suspected ritualists and other members of the public in Uruan Local Government Area of the state.

The new babies, Nigerian Tribune gathered, are collected from the young mothers as soon as they are delivered, even as each mother is paid N70,000  after each successful delivery.  

The state Commissioner of Police Umar Gwadabe who briefed newsmen on the development and other breakthroughs recorded by the state police command, disclosed that the said illegal home is owned by one Dr Wisdom Mbaba and is located at Ekpene Ukim, in Uruan Local Government Area of the state.

Gwadabe said following a tip-off from a concerned citizen of the area, the police raided the place and about seven young women, between the ages of 18 and 20 were rescued from the said operation, while the suspected proprietor of the home, Dr Mbaba, escaped but his wife, Effiong, was arrested.

One of the girls rescued, Aniebet Okon Sunday, told Nigerian Tribune that she had gone there to abort a five-month-old pregnancy but the doctor told her to stay with him, promising that he would pay her for the baby, which she agreed to and was paid N70,000 after delivery.

“My friend took me to Doctor Wisdom when I was pregnant and wanted to do abortion but the doctor said I should stay and give birth. I

did not even see the baby that I gave birth to. I don’t know if it was a boy or girl. It was taken away before I was able to stand up. But doctor gave me N70, 000,” Miss Sunday narrated.

Nigerian Tribune gathered from reliable sources that young girls wishing to abort unwanted pregnancies were lured to the factory for abortion operation, after which the unwanted babies are negotiated and sold to ritualists by the factory dealers.

However, Dr Mbaba’s wife Effiong who is currently in police custody, admitted that her husband was a specialist in abortion but claimed he had stopped doing the business for some years now.

Asked whether she was running the business with her husband she said, “No, I don’t know anything about the business. I run a shop where I sell foodstuffs and others things.”

However, the state commissioner of police said his men had been equipped to contain any security challenges in the state.

Delta police wage war against kidnappers, rescue boy

Orerokpe, headquarters of kpe Local Government Area of Delta State, is a den of criminal activities in Delta. Although we (police) are not magicians, but you can see that in the past few days, we have been working like magicians. “In the last few days, we stormed kidnappers’ dens and made successes. Some of the criminals are still at large,  but we know their houses. We’ll soon smoke them out! This is the second time we have trailed kidnappers to Edo State to rescue victims.”
With these words, the newly posted Commissioner of Police, Ayo Ikechuckwu Aduba, who through intelligence-led investigations stormed various kidnappers’ dens and rescued five kidnapped victims, vowed that men of the Delta State Police Command would be on the roads 24 hours to smoke out criminals.
The Commissioner said it became neccessary to warn criminals to have a change of heart and take to legitimate business or be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.
The CP handed down the warning while parading six suspected kidnappers who sandwiched the wife of the Financial Secretary of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers’ Association, Mrs. Adaku Adeiyi, in their Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) in Delta State to their hideout in Edo State.

The woman was kidnapped in Ekpan axis of the state by the unknown gunmen who threatened to kill her unless the family cough out N5 million ransom.
Accoding to the CP, through a tip-off, men of the Anti-Terrorists Squad (ATS) of the command  swung into action, trailing the gang to  Benin-City, Edo State, where the  notorious kidnappers had their hide out and their victim (Mrs. Adeiyi) was rescued unhurt.
Aduba listed the names of the suspected kidnappers as, Omore Afiiuwho, Solomon Osagwe, Endurance Onwuka and Peter Ukpabor.
It was shocking to discover that all the kidnappers were mere teenagers!
Aduba said:“Besides the sum of N2.9 million that was recovered from them, one black Seina Space bus, marked EK 483 BEN and one ash coloured Audi 80 car, marked AA 261 DGS, were also recovered.”
The CP explained that when the N5 million ransom the kidnappers initially demanded for failed, the hoodlums  grudgily  settled for N2.9 million, but since the family had already incidented the case, the police decided to play along with the criminals, pretending they were indeed in support of the payment.

The gang was about to collect the ransom, when policemen swooped on them.
The CP appealed to the general public to furnish the command with useful information which could lead to the arrest of kidnappers, armed robbers and their sponsors.
His words:“When a case is not documented with us, what do you expect us to do? Or do they think I have kidnappers among my men? No! I don’t have kidnappers in my barracks.”
Aside the rescue of Mrs. Adeiyi, a seven- year-old boy, Folunsho Adam, who was kidnapped at No. 19 Omotosho Street, Okere road, in Warri, Delta State, by an armed gang, was also rescued.
The Joint Patrol team of the command rescued him after his abductors, who allegedly descended on his parents, robbed them of huge sums of money and other valuables.

They made away with the boy,in his parents Lexus Jeep, marked Yab 964 AE, and took him to their hideout in the creeks.
According to Aduba, the boy was rescued through, “an intelligence-led investigation.”
 The hoodlums were surprised by policemen on the bank of river Ogbe-Ijoh, a Waterside locality in the state, while strategising on how to smuggle the boy to an unknown destination.
“On sighting the police team, the hoodlums abandoned the Jeep and escaped in a awaiting boat. The kidnapped boy was rescued unhurt,”ethused Aduba.
He added: “Efforts are on to arrest the fleeing gang members.”
 He further said that one Peter Kelly, a suspected kidnapper, operating in a Jacon Lifan Lady Motorcycle along Ughelli / Patani road, one Emmanuel Friday, Moses Oduwei, operating in an ash coloured Toyota Camry Saloon car marked EH 992 ABC, were also arrested.

The gang were said to have invaded a church and  whisking away Mr. Nath Agbonifo at Aladja Waterside.
 One Sibitor Veto and Saturday Miror, who kidnapped Udeivi Shedrack and Elvis Alfred along Udu expressway and demanded N500,000 as ransom, had all been arrested through, “the diligent efforts” of the ATS and the Joint Patrol Team of the command.
The CP recalled that a Toyota Carina Saloon car, marked AG 339 GGE, which was snatched at gun point in Asaba, was recovered at the River Niger bridge head, even as he narrated how one ash coloured RAV 4L Toyota Jeep, marked AG 09 ACA which was stolen in Delta was recovered in its neighbouring Anambra State.
He said the team trailed the hoodlums to the head bridge, on noticing that they were being pursued, the kidnappers jumped out of the Jeep and ran into the bush.
“As for the Toyota Carina; as my men gave the kidnappers a hot chase, the policemen opened fired on the moving vehicle tyres to demobilize it. The occupants abandoned the vehicle at the end of bridge. They escaped into the river bank,” bragged Aduba.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Jonathan to sign 2012 budget today

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan will assent to the 2012 Appropriation Bill today, having apparently resolved his differences with the National Assembly on the matter which has delayed its signing since being passed by the legislature.

The signing of the N4.7 trillion budget will take place in the State House, at a ceremony expected to be witnessed by leaders of the National Assembly, ministers and other top officials of government.

The president had been reluctant to append his signature to the document, because of the changes made by the National Assembly to the original estimates he submitted to the lawmakers for their consideration and approval.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had given reasons President Jonathan was yet to sign the budget, telling State House correspondents after a meeting of the National Economic Management Team that government was studying the details because of the changes made by the legislature.

She had revealed that the executive would meet with the leadership of the National Assembly to find a common ground on the areas where there might be differences.

Pressed to point out the specific areas of differences, the minister said an example was the crude oil benchmark eventually adopted by the lawmakers.

According to her, “obviously, the first one is the benchmark price that went from $70 to $72, which we have looked into. We are still ending up with fiscal deficit that is reasonable and under three per cent and reduced debt, that is okay.”

Electricity workers suspend strike

The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), on Thursday, said it had suspended its strike scheduled for Thursday.

Mr Bede Opara, the president of the union, disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said the suspension followed the outcome of  last Friday’s meeting with Chief Emeka Wogu,  the Minister of Labour and Productivity.

NAN recalled that the union planned to embark on the strike to protest the recent sack of three top officials of the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the Power Holding Company (PHCN).

Opera said the minister had scheduled another meeting with all PHCN unions on Friday, to find ways to address the crisis in the power sector.

“The proposed strike has been put on hold, pending the outcome of the meeting of the Minister of Labour with all the unions.

“That the strike has been temporarily put on hold does not mean it will not hold, but we have to obey the appeal of the minister of labour,” he said.

Total appoints first Nigerian female Executive Director, others

Total Exploration and Production Nigeria has announced the appointment of its first Nigerian female Executive Director.
She is Mrs. Edith Ofili-Okonkwo, who was appointed as Executive Director, Human Resources and  Corporate Affairs. She was also appointed into the board of Total Upstream Nigeria Limited (TUPNI), a sister company.
 Ofili-Okonkwo, who graduated with B.Sc in Geology from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1980 and obtained an MBA from the University of Lagos in 1987, joined the then Elf Nigeria in 1981.  She worked in the Exploration Department responsible for Exploration Admin facilities / Budget and Cost Control from 1981 to 1994.
She was Head Compensation and Benefits/Personnel Administration, responsible for compensation and benefits from 1994 – 2000. She was appointed Personnel Manager from 2000 to 2003, and became Employee Relations and Benefits Manager from 2003 - 2005.

On  August 22, 2005, she was appointed Deputy General Manager, Human Resources responsible for Manpower development, Career Management and Training. She was appointed General Manager, Human Resources in March 2009, a position she held responsibly until 2nd December 2011 when she was elevated as Director.
Similarly, Mr. Olubunmi Obembe, is appointed Executive Director , Gas  Business and Commercial.
In this capacity, he oversees the company’s interest in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), domestic gas and power; and crude oil commercial businesses.

Obembe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Port Harcourt. He had earlier attended the famous Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti.
He joined the company in 1980 as a petroleum engineer and served the company in various capacities locally and overseas in the first 21 years of his career, culminating in his appointment as Production Engineering Manager in 1998.
He was thereafter appointed General Manager, Procurement and Contracts in 2002, and later General Manager Nigerian Content Development. He re-engineered the company’s Supply Chain processes, and played a pioneering role in the Local content policy definition and implementation both in the company and across the Oil & Gas Industry in Nigeria.

He was appointed into the Executive Committee of the company in 2007, where he served first as Executive General Manager for Technical Services and Nigerian Content, and later as Executive General Manager for Gas Business and Commercial.
Obembe also served as Executive Director of Total E&P Trustees for eight years. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Purchasing & Supply Management of Nigeria.

POLITICS

Faction springs up in Ekiti PDP

Despite the peaceful conduct of the congresses in the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last month, a faction, led by Mr. Akin Omole, has sprung up, saying it will not allow any usurper or impostor to hijack the party.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, Omole, who contested the chairmanship seat with Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe and lost by 310 votes to Ogundipe's 318, said some people were trying to hijack the party and put it into disrepute in the eye of the public.

Tactically referring to Ogundipe, the state chairman of the party, Omole said the new PDP executive members were occupying their respective offices through a manipulated congress election.

He declared  himself and  members of his executive, who are loyalists of former Governor Segun Oni as the authentic and validly-elected party officials during the March 18 party congress held in the state.

According to him, the delegate lists of Emure, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Ekiti South-West local governments were doctored by the Congress Committee to favour the Ogundipe-led executive.

He alleged that Dr Tope Aluko, Femi Bamisile and Pastor Kola Oluwawole, who emerged as the  Secretary,  Deputy Chairman and Publicity Secretary during the congress,  contested against the zoning formula set by the immediate past party executive led by  Chief  Bola Olu-Ojo.

However, in his reaction, Ogundipe decried the activities of the splinter group and advised Omole to refrain from committing political suicide by factionalising the party instead of exhausting party machinery to resolve their differences.

The PDP state chairman said the steps being taken by Omole and his sponsors could be described as anti-party activities, which carries serious sanctions, going by the party’s constitution.

“PDP is a very disciplined party. We learnt they are being sponsored by the ACN to destabilise our party and we will not allow this. They have been running intermittent paid adverts on Ekiti Radio in the last few days which was an evidence  that they are agents of the ACN”  .

Defending his emergence as the party boss, Ogundipe asked: “Where were they when the election was conducted that they didn’t complain that Pastor Oluwawole,  Aluko and others were not eligible to contest? Were they blind or that they slept off?”.

Ogundipe clarified that all the members of his executive satisfied the provisions of the PDP Constitution and urged Omole to stop making unnecessary noise over waiver to some members of his executive.

“Omole is not a giver of waiver, so only the national body of our party can discuss anything about waiver”.

It will be recalled that in the said congress, former Governor Ayodele Fayose and Police Affairs Minister, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), teamed up to create an upset.

Before the election that was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Alhaji Ganiyu Olododo-led committee appointed by the national leadership of the party, the Oni group, comprising people such as former deputy governors Abiodun Olujimi, Abiodun Aluko, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Senator Ayo Arise, among others, was confident of victory.

On the day of the congress, while Fayose and Olubolade and their followers were still canvassing support from delegates, the other team appeared complacent.

When the result for the chairmanship seat was announced and the Oni group lost out, some of their followers were heard complaining that they lost due to over-confidence.

Suspected ACN thugs arraigned in Akure

Two suspected political thugs, Olanrewaju Kazeem and Akintemi Kolawole, were yesterday remanded in prison custody for allegedly being in possession of dangerous weapons.

The duo, arrested on Wednesday at a political rally organised by a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), in Akure, the Ondo State capital, were docked for contravening robbery and firearms provisions.

The accused persons were arrested by detectives from the State Police Command at the campaign rally ground of a governorship aspirant around Champion Junction, Oyemekun Road, Akure about 2.30p.m.

They were arraigned on a five-count charge of illegal possession of firearms, terrorism and armed robbery. 

The charges by the prosecutor, who is a Senior Legal Officer, Mr. Ade Akinsulure, read thus: “That you, Olanrewaju Kazeem and Akintemi Kolawole, on or about the 11th of April, 2012 at about 2.30p.m. at the campaign rally ground of Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) around Champion Junction, Oyemekun Road, Akure within the Akure Magisterial District did unlawfully possess one double-barrel JOJEFF-MAGNUM Rifle and 13 rounds of cartridges contrary to and punishable under Section 3 (1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you, Olanrewaju Kazeem and Akintemi Kolawole, on or about the 11th of April, 2012 at about 2.30p.m. at the campaign rally ground of Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) around Champion Junction, Oyemekun Road, Akure within the Akure Magisterial District did unlawfully arm yourselves with gun with interest to seriously intimidate the citizens of Akure contrary to Section 1 (1) and punishable under Section 4 (1) (c) of the Terrorism Act, 2011.

“That you, Olanrewaju Kazeem and Akintemi Kolawole, on or about the 11th of April, 2012 at about 2.30p.m. at the campaign rally ground of Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) around Champion Junction, Oyemekun Road, Akure within the Akure Magisterial District while armed with guns did rob one Joseph Legbeka of a Blackberry Phone Bold V worth N60, 000 contrary to and punishable under Section 3 (1) of the Robbery and Firearms Act (Special Provisions) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

After the charges were read to the accused persons, Akinsulure told the court that “in view of the charge brought under Robbery and Firearms Act, we apply under Sec. 305 of Civil Procedure Law for the remand of the accused persons in prison pending the time a legal review would be issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The case took a dramatic turn when the defence counsel, Mr. Idowu Mafimisebi, who initially applied for bail, made a-turn and told the court that “we wish to withdraw the application for bail. It will be a dissipation of energy making the application in view of the charges before the court. We have considered the powers of this court and shall apply appropriately.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Akintoye said pending the issuance of a legal review from the office of the DPP, the accused persons are to be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case to May 28, 2012 for mention.

CRIME FILE

Obesere in car crash

Fate stepped in on Easter Sunday to rescue self-styled Paramount King of Music, Abass Akande Obesere, from crossing the threshold between life and death after surviving a horrendous car accident in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. Obesere was reported to be returning to Lagos around 8:30pm from a performance engagement in Ijebu Ode when his driver, Femi, lost the control of the Lexus jeep LX470 and careened into the bush where it rammed into a tree. Though all the occupants of the jeep – four of them – including the musician were injured, no life was lost. After getting first aid treatment in a nearby hospital, they were moved back to Lagos on Monday and are currently undergoing treatment at Orisunmade Hospital, Jakande Estate, Isolo, Lagos.

In a chat with Obesere days after the accident, he debunked insinuations that his driver must have been drunk. “Femi doesn’t take alcohol and when we go to shows like that I always give him time to rest and he doesn’t partake in our music performance. I was even having a phone call with my eyes gazed at him when the jeep swerved into the bush. It was a terrible occurrence, but I thank God that nobody died.”

Through suppressed pains, he jocularly tells E-Punch that after the accident, he now wishes to be addressed as Jagaban in deference to the never-say-die spirit of the former Lagos State governor and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) party leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed, who he just released a commemorative album for.

Four burnt to death in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway accident

Three adults and a child were burnt to death on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday after a bus lost control and burst into flames.

According to eyewitnesses, the two front tyres of the Mazda bus burst and the driver lost control and hit a culvert between the AP filling station and a firm, Eldorado.

The bus with the number plate XT 935 KSF was said to have loaded passengers from Ojota Park and was heading to Ibadan when the incident occurred.

It was learnt that the driver of the bus ran away immediately the accident happened.

The Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Sagamu, Mr. Lasisi Ogundele, who led a team to the scene of the accident, confirmed that 15 passengers were in the bus.

“Six of the passengers sustained injuries while four of them, including a baby were burnt beyond recognition,” he said.

As the FRSC team worked to extricate the bodies from the bus, a young man, wailed nearby.

The man, Bolaji Bankole, was a survivor of the accident. His mother was one of those who died in the accident.

All he could do was point to the vehicle and wail, saying, “My mother is in there, my mother is in there.”

Sympathisers, who were in tears, consoled him and contacted his family members on the phone.

Ogundele told PUNCH Metro later on the phone that the injured were first taken to the Road Safety Emergency Clinic on the expressway for first aid.

He said, “They were later taken to the Federal Medical Centre and a hospital in Gbagada for comprehensive treatment.

“The bodies of those who died were deposited at the morgue of the Isolo General Hospital, Lagos. The families of the deceased have been here and we have directed them to the mortuary. But it might be a problem to identify the bodies because of their state.”

Meanwhile, an accident involving a trailer loaded with fertilisers and a tipper caused a gridlock on the expressway on Wednesday evening.

The trailer, with number plate XP 337 ABC, reportedly swerved to avoid the tipper, which had crossed to its lane. But the trailer overturned, spilling its content across the expressway.

No casualty was recorded. But the driver was nowhere to be found when our correspondent got to the scene.

The driver’s assistant, who was at the scene, refused to answer questions and did not disclose the whereabouts of the driver.

A policewoman at the scene said she had called for help from her division and that FRSC had been notified.

Gunmen kill final year pupil in presence of mum in Kaduna

Gunmen kill final year pupil in presence of mum in  Kaduna

A final year pupil of Imam Secondary School, Rigasa area of Kaduna State was yesterday killed in the presence his mum by unknown gunmen.

It was gathered that the killers mistook the victim identified as Mohammed Sani Adamu who was on his Man’O War uniform for a
soldier.
According to his Elder brother, Alhaji Mohammed Maikudi, the  gunmen shot twice him twice in the presence of his mother who had sent him on  an errand.
He said: “My brother was shot twice in the presence of my helpless mother. The gunmen thought my brother was a soldier probably because  he was in his man-O war uniform.“He came back home in his Man’O War uniform and  his mother sent him on errand to buy something for her in the market.
Immediately he steps out of the house, the gunmen approached him in front of  the house and shot him twice,” he stated.
Speaking further, Maikudi noted that: “When they shot him,  the mother came out shouting; ‘My Son is a Cadet Man’O War not a soldier. “On  hearing the cry of my mother, the attackers zoomed off on the same bike. I cannot really identify them, but they are small boys. I believe it is because  of the uniform they shot him, they thought he was a soldier,” said Maikudi.

Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Aminu  Lawan, who confirmed the incident said the command was aware of the incident  and that they had commenced investigation into the matter.

Man arrested with hard drugs in sandals

Attempt by a 52-year-old businessman (name withheld) to export 25.4kg of ephedrine concealed in sandals to Mozambique has been foiled by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at the Lagos Airport.

The anti-narcotics agency said the man after carefully packing his illegal consignment, was to freight it as unaccompanied cargo through the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) area of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.
Airport Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Hamza Umar said that the drug was carefully packed to avoid suspicion, but it took the extra efforts of officers to uncover the mode of drug concealment.

“The plan was to send the drug as unaccompanied cargo to Mozambique. Good enough, we apprehended the consignor. The drug was hidden inside the soles of 11 pairs of sandals. The case is under investigation and the suspect will soon be charged to court,” Hamza stated.
The suspect is married with four children and lives at Ajangbadi, Ojo area of Lagos.

The suspect hails from Ukpo-Umuorobi in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. He attended Central School Ukpo but could not further his education due to lack of money. In his words, “I am an auto parts dealer. I was recently introduced into the business. What they told me is that it is a profitable chemical in high demand in Mozambique. That was how I ventured into it.”

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade described the seizure as spectacular and warned that unless drug barons quit the criminal act, they should expect more arrests and seizures. “This seizure is spectacular because ordinarily you will not suspect that the sandals contained drugs. The Agency will continue to expose anyone hiding under the cover of legitimate business in smuggling narcotics. This is a clear signal that more arrests and seizures are in the offing,” Giade stressed.

Investigation had been concluded and the suspect would soon be arraigned, the NDLEA boss added.

Coconut tree kills man, grandson

Tragedy struck in Omileju community , a suburb of Ondo town, Ondo State following the killing of two persons by rainstorm that ravaged the area.
Also property worth millions of naira were destroyed by the heavy rains that lasted for 30 minutes.

An aged man identified as a prominent farmer and his six-year-old grand son simply called David were reportedly killed when a coconut tree at the back of their house was uprooted by the winds and the tree fell on them
Many people were rendered homeless as the rainstorm blew off the roofs of many houses and shops. Owners watched helplessly as the storm was ravaging their houses.

It was gathered that when the coconut tree fell down, some people in the community rushed to the house of the victims, sympathizers were said to have met the victims trapped by the tree.

The sympathizers and the rescue team it was gathered, could not pull out the two victims under the coconut tree as a result of the weight of the tree and before more people could be mobilized the aged man and his grandson had died.

Pandemonium broke out in the community when the rain stopped and residents of the area returned from work in the evening and discovered that the roof of their houses had been blown off by the rainstorm. Panic was heightened when people could not see their children, family members. There was confusion as residents were cried, moving from one house to the other in search of their relations

Baale of the community, Chief Akingbola Akintola who described the incident as first of its kind in the history of the community, called on the Ondo State Government to come to the aid of the victims of the rainstorm by giving them relief materials.

SPORTS

Egypt beat Nigeria 3-2 in Dubai friendly

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, lost his first match as Nigeria coach after the Pharaohs of Egypt snatched a late goal to beat Eagles 3-2 in a friendly match played at El Nasri Stadium in Dubai on Thursday.

In his first five games, Keshi, won two matches against Zambia and Liberia and drew with Angola, Botswana and Rwanda. The Rwanda game was a 2013 Nations Cup qualifier played in Kigali in February.

Like in the match against Liberia, the coach kept faith in the home-based players he has been working with as goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, Azubike Egwueke, Godfrey Oboabona, Juwon Oshaniwa, Papa Idris, Reuben Gabriel, Henry Uche, Ejike Uzoenyi, Obina Nwanchuku, Sunday Mba and Kalu Uche started against the Pharaohs.

Sunday Mba, who scored both goals against Liberia in Monrovia, put Nigeria ahead in the 15th minute to the delight of a handful Nigerians at the stadium. But Ahmed Temsah cancelled the advantage in the 25th minute with a shot that took a deflection. The north Africans went ahead to take the lead when veteran Mohammed Aboutrika scored from the spot in the 32nd minute. Kalu Uche levelled score in the 40th minute, converting with a back heel from Ejike Uzoenyi pass.

At the resumption of the second half, Aboutrika would have put the Pharaohs 3-2 up but his shot went over the target as Nigeria continued the search for more goals. Uche and Mba, who later made way for Izu Azuka late in the game, threatened the opponents’ area as the game went on but it was the Egyptians who got the third goal in injury time through Ahmed Hassan Mekky.

It was a match the home-based players gave their all and they actually deserved a result but for the superior exposure of their opponents who mounted a late challenge when it seemed both sides were content with a draw.

Former U-20 coach Tunde Disu said the result was a sign of brighter future for the Eagles.

“We were down but we are coming up even with the loss. It means that players from our league can be relied on. Keshi is doing a great work and he deserves praises and support. Few coaches will put their hope in home-based players like he is doing,” he said.

Van Persie will go if Arsenal don’t spend –Campbell

 

Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell insists that Arsene Wenger needs to spend in the summer in order to hold onto striker Robin van Persie.

The 28-year-old has been in inspired form for the Gunners this season, scoring 27 goals in 33 Premier League games and helping to propel them into third place in the Premier League table.

Yet Campbell insists that if Arsenal fail to bring in some fresh talent next season then Van Persie will be tempted to leave the club, particularly with other teams such as Manchester City poised to swoop for his signature.

“Arsenal need a few more players who want to take on the challenge, who are going to say ‘I’m going to make the difference this season’.

“If they don’t buy players he’s going to go, I think he’s going to feel there’s a lack of ambition at the club. Arsenal need a few players who can make the difference, on the field and on the bench.”

Van Persie’s contract expires at the end of the 2012-13 season with the Dutchman having placed talks over a renewal on hold until the summer.

FA Gives Chelsea's Ivanovic Three-match Ban

Branislav Ivanovic has lost his appeal against the FA charge for violent conduct and will therefore miss Chelsea’s next three domestic matches.

The Chelsea defender was charged after an incident in the EPL games against Wiagn, where he punched Shaun Maloney. Although the match official missed it, the action was captured on video and the FA charged the 28-year-old retrospectively.

“Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic’s appeal against an FA charge for violent conduct has been dismissed,’ an FA statement said. “A regulatory commission heard the claim today and Ivanovic’s three match suspension will commence with immediate effect.”

Chelsea said they were ‘disappointed’ with the ban, but glad that the ban was not extended.

“Chelsea FC does not believe the incident was violent,” the Blues said. “We note that the FA did not deem our appeal frivolous and it therefore had merit.”

Ivanovic will now miss Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur and league games against Arsenal and QPR. He is however free to face Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Amuneke explains Barca's dominance

FORMER African Footballer of the Year and Super Eagles player, Emmanuel Amuneke, has attributed high 'mental speed' of the players of FC Barcelona as the main reason behind their dominance in club football today.

Amuneke, who played for the Spanish giants when current coach of the team Pep Guardiola was the captain, disclosed at the Heineken Champions Planet that the club will still dominate for a long time.

Barcelona in Guardiola's era has qualified for the semi-final of the Champions League for the fifth time in a row and will play English Premiership side Chelsea next week at the Stamford Bridge, London.

"I am glad to have been part of the great club in my active days in football, but the present generation is far better than my era when the likes of Guardiola, Ronaldo de Lima, Patrick Kluivert and Rivaldo were the star players of the side.

"When you look at this present generation, their mental speed is very high and potentially gives them the ability to read their surroundings and make accurate passes on the field.”

"When a group of players play cohesively and have field vision far greater than other teams, there is no doubt that they will be a terror to other competitors.

"In my era, we had a collection of talented star players and played good football as well but today these lads are ready to dominate with their accurate passes. If you press them forward you leave your rear exposed and they’ll dominate you greatly. It's really a complex situation", Amuneke explained.

Amuneke, who scored several vital goals while playing for the national team said coach Guardiola's instant rise to stardom has defied the logic of having experience in coaching.

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